Page 43 - Memorial Groves

Killed in Action PLAQUE NO 70: PLAQUE NO 71:

Fl Lt John Henry William
F/O Eric Francis Kennedy Pearse
Saunders (1936-37) (1925-29)

PLAQUE NO 69: 3 Sqn RAAF: 113 Sqn RAF

Lieut. Robert Neville Rose Killed In Action, Egypt Killed In Action: Burma/India
23 May 1942. Age 29
22 October 1941. Age 21
(1928-31) John lived in Cottesloe, first went to Christchurch Eric came from ‘Nalbarra Station’ at Mount Magnet and
Grammar and then to Hale School in 1936 and 1937 for
attended Hale School between 1925 and 1929. He was a
the final two years of schooling. He was a member of the prefect, captain of the 1st XI and runner-up as champion
2/16th Battalion 1st XI, the 1st XVIII, the Inters athletics team and was a athlete in his final year; he was also on the Cygnet
Killed In Action: Syria School prefect in Sixth Form. committee.
7th July 1941. Age 26
On the outbreak of hostilities he volunteered for the air He worked for the Elders stock firm for three years
Neville was known as “Nibbler” at School. He attended as force and after the training period with the Empire Air then returned to farming but on the outbreak of war
a boarder from Burekup between 1928 and 1931. He was a Training Scheme he was posted to the Middle Eastern volunteered for the air force and was selected to undergo
left hand opening bat and a leg spin bowler for the 1st XI. Theatre. He flew Tomahawk fighter aircraft with No 3 training as a pilot in the Empire Air Training Scheme at
Squadron RAAF in the North African campaign against Cunderdin, then Geraldton. After gaining his wings he was
After leaving School he returned to the farm but after the German and Italian forces. posted to India and joined Number 113 Squadron of the
outbreak of the Second World War he joined the 2/16th Royal Air Force, flying bombing operations in Blenheim
Battalion. He was promoted to acting-sergeant soon after Dedicated by his family aircraft against Japanese positions over the border into
and was then commissioned Lieutenant before the unit Placed by his Haleian brother Mark (1956-61), Burma.
went into action in Syria in June 1941. assisted by nephew Josh Saunders (2000-04).
On the 22nd May, 1942, when returning from a successful
He was killed in action in an engagement at the Damour operation against enemy positions, Flying Officer Pearse’
River as the battalion entered the final phase of the thrust aircraft struck severe turbulence and dropped a thousand
toward the capture of Beirut and the final surrender of the feet through an air pocket to hit the ground. All on board
Vichy French forces. were killed
Dedicated by his family. Dedicated by his family
Placed by his Haleian brother, Mr Forrest Rose (1926-30) Laid by his Old Haleian brother Colin Pearse (1925-27),
and Mrs Rose, assisted by Haleian nephew Robert Rose assisted by his sisters Betty Holmes and Loris Pearse.
(1960-64) and great-nephew, Robert Rose (1997-02) of
Wilson House.

Eric Pearse
Robert Neville (Nibbler) Rose